Gospel Prophecy
Introduction: Many passages in the New Testament refer to prophecies about the Christ, recorded in Scripture in the Old Testament centuries before the Son of God was born of a virgin and lived among men. The first four books in the New Testament are called the GOSPELS; and some selected verses from the many verses they contain about prophecy are the anchor for the “good news” in this Bible study. The many fulfilled Old Testament prophecies should cause us to give praise to Christ our precious Savior. We can firmly believe the LORD God will also complete His plans for the eternal Kingdom of God, prepared before the foundation of the world.
NOTE: All Scripture passages are from the American King James Bible.
A — The Promised Christ Was from the Line of David and Born of a Virgin
Isaiah 7 “14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Matthew 1 “20 Joseph, you son of David, fear not to take to you Mary your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Comments: The angel of the LORD appeared to Joseph in a dream: the Spirit of the Lord can enter our thoughts whether we are awake or asleep. Joseph was a descendant of David, and he was told not to hesitate to take Mary as his wife because her pregnancy was a conception by the Holy Spirit as given in prophecy. The passages from Matthew give details: 1) Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus, 2) the wise men gave treasures that would become family support in Egypt, 3) Joseph was warned to go down into Egypt until called back by the LORD, and 4) the return from Egypt to Nazareth fulfilled prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene.
B — John Prepared the Way of the LORD Jesus
Malachi 3 “1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in: behold, he shall come, said the LORD of hosts.”
Mark 1 “1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which shall prepare your way before you. 4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Comments: The ministry of John the Baptist was to prepare the way for the LORD as he baptized in the wilderness, and preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. These things were part of prophecy being fulfilled. Immediately after Jesus was baptized by John, he was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days to defeat the temptations of Satan, and then was comforted by angels. After John was put into prison, another prophecy was fulfilled as Jesus went into Capernaum on the sea coast in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali and preached repentance because the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
C — Jesus Declared He Fulfills Prophecy and Is the Living Bread from Heaven
Luke 4 “17 And there was delivered to him the book of the prophet Esaias. 18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives… 21 And he began to say to them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”
John 5 “39 Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.”
John 6 “44 No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, He that believes on me has everlasting life.”
Comments: When Jesus read a prophecy from Isaiah in the synagogue in Nazareth, he said it had been fulfilled in their hearing — and they responded as though he was only another man. Jesus had lived with his family in Nazareth until he began his public ministry, and he said no prophet is accepted in his own country. In John chapter 5 Jesus said if the Scriptures are searched to reveal eternal life, they speak of Him; and he offers that life to those who believe in Him. In John chapter 6 the Jews murmured with contempt that he could not be bread from heaven because they knew his father and mother. Jesus said whoever believes on Him has everlasting life!
D — Jesus Was Crucified Between Two Thieves as Part of Prophecy
John 19 “28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said, I thirst. 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. 33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they broke not his legs: 36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.”
Comments: Each of the passages about the crucifixion give very good evidence that all of those events as described were further demonstration they had been predetermined by the all-knowing and all-powerful God. Jewish leaders who plotted to kill Jesus unknowingly fulfilled scripture: Caiaphas spoke not of himself, but as high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for their nation; and also that he would gather together the scattered children of God as one people. Though Jesus had done many miracles, not many believed on him — as was foretold in prophecy by Isaiah.
E — The Resurrected Christ Appeared to His Disciples
Luke 24 “44 And he said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations.”
John 20 “31 But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.”
Comments: When Jesus appeared to his disciples he said all things written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms concerning him must be fulfilled, and he opened their understanding of the scriptures. This is another example of how even the disciples did not understand some things when they first took place, but Scripture prophecy became more clear after the resurrection of Christ. Jesus truly did many other signs in the presence of his disciples which are not written in the gospel of John; but all which are contained in the gospels were written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.
Reflections in Prayer
LORD, I thank you for all of the Scriptures that have been written by the guidance of the Holy Spirit within all of the various authors over the centuries. I believe that the Word of God has come into my heart to lead me to repentance, and by your grace my sins have been forgiven. I am thankful for the gift of salvation of my soul since I have trusted Jesus Christ as my Savior. I know that even as the disciples could not understand all that was happening while You, Jesus, were with them; I know that I need to wait on your Holy Spirit to reveal the deep meanings of your Word to me only as that is necessary that I may love you more, and glorify your name in true humility as I wrestle with the ever present distractions of the world in and around me. May I decrease, while you increase within me, all for your honor and glory. Hallelujah, and Amen!
Published 26 August 2021